Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

The princess’s reply echoed in his ears. It was unbelievable—the gaze that seemed to meet his, the movement of her lips, the voice that flowed out; all of it made Kaiden’s head spin. These were the first words the princess had ever spoken to him. With her pretty face and clear voice, she had given him the same ordinary and predictable greeting she offered to others.

Ahem, the butler behind the princess cleared his throat. Kaiden had successfully completed his greeting, and it was now time to present his gift and step back. The servant took the gift he offered, which was added to the pile of birthday presents the princess had received.

Kaiden bowed again and withdrew. Unlike when he had approached the princess, he now moved his heavy feet with difficulty, distancing himself from the spot.

Afterward, the remaining barons and junior barons continued to offer their greetings. The princess, while receiving the greetings and gifts from various nobles, remained seated with an unwavering smile. She thanked those celebrating her birthday and congratulating her on coming of age, just as she had responded to Kaiden. His presence and name seemed to blend into the crowd of countless nobles, likely leaving no lasting impression on the princess.

Once the last noble had given their greeting, Count Vicar approached, bowed to the princess, and extended his hand. The princess looked to Countess Vicar as if she was seeking permission, and the countess stepped back with a smile. Naturally, their conversation was inaudible.

Holding her skirt with one hand, the princess stepped to the center with the visibly tense, elderly Count Vicar. The count appeared in no state to dance. However, standing beside him, the princess seemed calm, as if unaware of the count’s condition.

With the musicians’ performance, the princess and the count began to dance. The count, being the princess’s uncle-in-law with the countess present, danced out of courtesy to open the dance for the guests at the ball. Perhaps out of consideration for the stiff count, the musicians played a slow tune, and the princess and the count performed a very basic dance, circling the hall.

Kaiden stood motionless in the corner, like someone bound, watching the dancing princess. Leaning against a pillar with his body relaxed in a laughable manner, he focused solely on her. Her figure appeared and disappeared behind the nobles watching her dance. Kaiden’s gaze followed her continuously.

With her platinum hair swaying and her dress fluttering like wings, the princess gracefully moved around the hall. Her hair remained beautifully arranged even as it swayed, and her dress spread out in elegant patterns with each movement.

He caught glimpses of the princess’s feet as they touched the ground between the fluttering skirts. He noticed her small hand resting on the count’s large hand. The skirt’s hem swayed with the movement, and he observed the hand holding it, along with the bracelet that shimmered with light between the dress collar.

Each time the princess turned, her clear face seemed to appear and disappear. Amid all the obstructions blocking his view, her eyes shone brightly and prominently, never hidden.

He couldn’t hear the music, nor did he notice the count dancing with the princess. He imagined himself standing next to the lightly moving princess, not the count. He envisioned reaching out to take her hand, placing his hand on her waist, guiding her as they moved together.

Somehow, it was hard to imagine, and it didn’t seem to fit. Like a worthless shadow cast on this night, he couldn’t possibly…

He recalled the distance between him and the princess when he had greeted her earlier. Just that much. That was the closest he could approach her. A man who couldn’t come any closer was finally able to reach her. Yet, to dare imagine holding her hand and waist and dancing…

Thus, unable to complete the impossible fantasy, the movements of the dancing princess and count came to a halt. The music ended. Kaiden straightened up, having been leaning against the pillar, as if he had been released from bondage and regained his freedom. But that was all.

The princess and the count stood apart and bowed to each other. The princess took the count’s hand again and walked back to the chair where she had originally been seated.

The musicians began to play new music. Nobles started to step onto the floor to dance, one by one.

However, Kaiden remained standing still, his gaze fixed solely on the princess. The princess, who had risen from her chair, walked with Countess Vicar toward the curtain-draped door beyond the chairs. Other women followed her.

Thus, the princess temporarily left the ballroom. Perhaps the continuous music, greetings, and immediate dancing had exhausted the delicate princess.

The princess, being the star of that evening’s ball, wouldn’t leave the ballroom entirely, but Kaiden felt a sense of regret at the reduced opportunity to see her.

Right on cue, a court poet sent in advance by Taras from the palace stood among the musicians. The music played by the musicians changed. The court poet cleared his throat to the rhythm and began to recite a poem. It was a basic poem about Yurhemia, the goddess of spring.

“The beginning of the world, from the light of Vican, the breath of spring began.

The majestic radiance spread in four directions, and from the first light, the goddess emerged.

Our goddess who brings spring, beautiful Yurhemia…”

In the banquet hall, where musicians played melodies and poets recited verses, nobles danced to the rhythm. Kaiden watched the spot where the princess had been seated, tracing the path where her gown had trailed as she passed.

“A single seed fell from the light, with a breath upon it.

Sprout a new bud on the ground and grant us spring.

A single star rose from the light, with a breath upon it…”

People in the banquet hall twirled, their garments fluttering around them. Amidst the crowd, Kaiden stood like a stationary pillar, his deep blue gaze fixed on the shadow of a dark column. He concentrated on the area where the light could not reach, striving to escape the tumult of emotions that shook him.

‘Get a grip.’

Nothing had changed; his position remained behind the pillar, unable to reach the starlike princess. He understood better than anyone that staying in this place would lead to no change.

‘Get a grip.’

But how? What could a powerless person do?

Unconsciously, Kaiden raised his hand to touch the gift box hidden in his coat. It was a small object, concealed within his dark attire, as if it didn’t exist at all—just as he had always felt distant from the princess’s existence.

As he looked down with a subdued gaze, Kaiden suddenly noticed someone approaching. Though the person was still far away, their determined stride was unmistakable. Kaiden lifted his eyes.

The person approaching him was Bitern Vicar. Although Kaiden had crossed paths with him a few times, they were not close enough to engage in casual conversation at such an event. Vicar reached Kaiden in just a few steps, and knowing he wasn’t the type to waste time on trivial matters, Kaiden stood still.

As expected, Vicar spoke directly to him.

“Sir Leonas. Follow me. It’s an order.”

Kaiden narrowed his eyes at Vicar. His gaze, like frozen jewels, fixated on him. Kaiden knew there were very few people in the north who could command Vicar with an ‘order.’ Naturally, the first name that came to mind was Count Vicar. And…

“……”

He denied it, thinking it was impossible. Was his hope so strong that he had become lost in overly optimistic fantasies?

Even as he dismissed the absurd thought, Kaiden stared silently at Vicar, as if he had forgotten to respond. Vicar immediately turned and, with the firm stride of a knight, walked away, turning his back to Kaiden. Watching Vicar’s cloak sway as he moved ahead, Kaiden slowly began to follow.

With each step he took, his heart pounded heavily. The path he walked, following Vicar, felt very familiar. It intersected with the trail left by the bright-colored gown, following traces he dared not touch.

The path walked by someone he could never reach, no matter how much he pursued.

‘Ah.’

What kind of unbelievable thing was happening now?